St. George Shoots the Dragon
Encyclopedia
St. George Slays the Dragon is a Serbian World War I
drama directed by Srđan Dragojević and written by Dušan Kovačević
. The movie premiered on March 11, 2009.
With a budget of around €5 million, it was one of the most expensive Serbian movie productions to date. Some of the funds have been donated by the governments of Serbia
(€1.55 million) and Republika Srpska
(€750,000) who deemed the movie to be of national importance.
Kovačević's script is based on his 1984 theater play that was staged to great success in Belgrade's Atelje 212
and Novi Sad
's Serbian National Theatre
.
battling, as part of the Balkan League
, the remaining Turkish occupiers
during the First Balkan War
in 1912 and ends with the outbreak of World War I
in 1914 and the crucial Battle of Cer
, the first allied victory in World War I
. It is largely set in and around a small village by the Sava river
at Serbia's border with Austria-Hungary
.
The village is deeply divided between able-bodied men that are potential army recruits and the many disabled veterans from the previous Balkan wars
; there is bitter animosity between the two groups, which don't intermingle much with each other even though they live in the same village.
The movie's central theme is a love triangle between the village gendarme
Đorđe, his wife Katarina and the young disabled war veteran Gavrilo who once had a love affair with Katarina before he went to war and lost his arm in battle, and with the arm partly also his lust for life. Even though Katarina in the meantime married Đorđe, she still has affection for Gavrilo, which is a source of friction between the two.
At the onset of World War I, all able-bodied men in the village are recruited for combat. Left in the village are only women, children and disabled veterans from previous Balkan wars
. Rumours start circulating that the invalids in the village are trying to take advantage of the situation by making their moves on the women in the village – the wives and sisters of the recruited men. These rumours reach the villagers at the frontlines, and in order to prevent mutiny the army staff decides to recruit the invalids as well and send them to the front line.
as the movie received funding and went into production.
The movie's production company was an entity called "Sveti Georgije ubiva aždahu" – a one-off company registered and set up for the purposes of this film by the following companies: Zillion Film (production house owned by Lazar Ristovski), Yodi Movie Craftsman (owned by Zoran Cvijanović and Milko Josifov), Delirium Film (owned by Srđan Dragojević), and Maslačak Film (owned by Biljana Prvanović). The co-producers are Oskar Film from Banja Luka
and Camera from Bulgaria
.
In addition to the governments of Serbia (under prime minister Koštunica and cultural minister Dragan Kojadinović
) and Republika Srpska
that donated the total of €2.25 million, the movie's funding came from Eurimages
fund that contributed €400,000, Serbian Ministry of Culture, and the Executive Council of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
The movie had 92 shooting days (50 of them night shoots) throughout the summer and fall of 2007 on locations in Serbia
, Republika Srpska
, and Bulgaria
. The shooting began on July 18, 2007 and wrapped on December 5, 2007. For the shooting in Serbia, an entire village was built in early 20th century style in South Banat District
near Deliblatska Peščara
with full and detailed interiors done by cinematographer Miljen "Kreka" Kljaković. In Republika Srpska, the shooting took place in Omarska
near Prijedor
where the Battle of Cer
was recreated.
. However, as the film was about to go into production, a row over creative issues erupted between him and Lazar Ristovski, one of the film's producers who also plays the role of Đorđe the gendarme. This resulted in Trifunović effectively being fired from the movie and young Milutin Milošević cast instead for the role of Gavrilo.
Towards the end of shooting, the movie's cinematographer Miljen "Kreka" Kljaković walked off the set over not being paid in full the agreed upon amount in his contract.
Bosnian Muslim human rights groups strongly protested the choice of Omarska
for filming some scenes in the film, as Omarska
was a site of a notorious Serb controlled internment camp for Bosniaks
, Croats
and other non-Serbs.
, and March 13th in Niš
) to much media coverage, the movie received mostly lukewarm reviews. Many of the reviewers underscored the opinion that the finished product failed to live up to the hype that surrounded it.
The movie also provoked a reaction from political circles in Serbia as the opposition Serbian Progressive Party
(SNS) complained about the historical liberties taken by the film's creators, namely the depiction of the crippled veterans being recruited for battle - an event of which there's no historical proof.
The general audiences in Serbia still responded in decent numbers. After two weeks of theatrical release, the film sold 67,032 admission tickets in Serbia. Throughout its theatrical run in Serbia, the film was seen by around 150,000 people.
However, recent Western critical reviews have been much more positive. Stephen Farber writing for Reuters, says the film is being touted for an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. He writes, "As the film morphs into a penetrating anti-war drama, it becomes considerably more potent. Director Srdjan Dragojevic, who made Pretty Village, Pretty Flame
in 1996, demonstrates undeniable talent. The battle scenes capture the chaos and brutality of trench warfare, and the finale builds a mournful power. Cinematography is rich, and the score adds to the movie's impact. Although it's easy to grow impatient during St. George's early scenes, the haunting conclusion stays with you."
will broadcast a six-part TV miniseries based on the movie after the movie premiere, as part of marking the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1
.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
drama directed by Srđan Dragojević and written by Dušan Kovačević
Dušan Kovacevic
Dušan Kovačević is a Serbian playwright and director best known for his theater plays and movie scripts. He also served as the ambassador of Serbia in Lisbon, Portugal....
. The movie premiered on March 11, 2009.
With a budget of around €5 million, it was one of the most expensive Serbian movie productions to date. Some of the funds have been donated by the governments of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
(€1.55 million) and Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
(€750,000) who deemed the movie to be of national importance.
Kovačević's script is based on his 1984 theater play that was staged to great success in Belgrade's Atelje 212
Atelje 212
Atelje 212 is a theatre in Belgrade, Serbia. It was officially founded on 12 November 1956 in the premises of the Borba building, in front of 212 chairs. The opening play was Faust, directed by Mira Trailović....
and Novi Sad
Novi Sad
Novi Sad is the capital of the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, and the administrative centre of the South Bačka District. The city is located in the southern part of Pannonian Plain on the Danube river....
's Serbian National Theatre
Serbian National Theatre
The Serbian National Theatre , located in Novi Sad, is one of the major theatres of Serbia...
.
Plot
The movie starts with Kingdom of SerbiaKingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia was created when Prince Milan Obrenović, ruler of the Principality of Serbia, was crowned King in 1882. The Principality of Serbia was ruled by the Karađorđevic dynasty from 1817 onwards . The Principality, suzerain to the Porte, had expelled all Ottoman troops by 1867, de...
battling, as part of the Balkan League
Balkan League
The Balkan League was an alliance formed by a series of bilateral treaties concluded in 1912 between the Balkan states of Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro and Serbia, and directed against the Ottoman Empire, which at the time still controlled much of the Balkan peninsula...
, the remaining Turkish occupiers
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
during the First Balkan War
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitted the Balkan League against the Ottoman Empire. The combined armies of the Balkan states overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success...
in 1912 and ends with the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1914 and the crucial Battle of Cer
Battle of Cer
The Battle of Cer also known as Battle of Jadar was one of the first battles of World War I, it also marked the first Allied victory in the war. The battle was fought between the Austro-Hungarian Army and Serbian forces. The results improved Serbian standing in the Alliance...
, the first allied victory in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. It is largely set in and around a small village by the Sava river
Sava River
The Sava is a river in Southeast Europe, a right side tributary of the Danube river at Belgrade. Counting from Zelenci, the source of Sava Dolinka, it is long and drains of surface area. It flows through Slovenia, Croatia, along the northern border of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and through Serbia....
at Serbia's border with Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
.
The village is deeply divided between able-bodied men that are potential army recruits and the many disabled veterans from the previous Balkan wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
; there is bitter animosity between the two groups, which don't intermingle much with each other even though they live in the same village.
The movie's central theme is a love triangle between the village gendarme
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
Đorđe, his wife Katarina and the young disabled war veteran Gavrilo who once had a love affair with Katarina before he went to war and lost his arm in battle, and with the arm partly also his lust for life. Even though Katarina in the meantime married Đorđe, she still has affection for Gavrilo, which is a source of friction between the two.
At the onset of World War I, all able-bodied men in the village are recruited for combat. Left in the village are only women, children and disabled veterans from previous Balkan wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
. Rumours start circulating that the invalids in the village are trying to take advantage of the situation by making their moves on the women in the village – the wives and sisters of the recruited men. These rumours reach the villagers at the frontlines, and in order to prevent mutiny the army staff decides to recruit the invalids as well and send them to the front line.
Cast
- Lazar RistovskiLazar RistovskiLazar "Laza" Ristovski is a Serbian actor, director, producer and writer. He has appeared on stage about 4000 times, and starred in over 40 films, TV series and TV dramas, mostly in lead roles.-Biography:...
– Đorđe - Milutin Milošević – Gavrilo
- Nataša JanjićNataša Janjić-Personal life:Nataša Janjić was born in Split on 27 November 1981. As a child, she studied at the Youth Theatre in Split. After finishing school in 2000, she went on to studying journalism and acting in Zagreb.-Filmography:*All for Free...
– Katarina - Bora TodorovićBora TodorovicBorivoje "Bora" Todorović is a Serbian actor...
– Aleksa - Zoran CvijanovićZoran CvijanovicZoran Cvijanović is a Serbian actor and producer who played supporting, yet memorable roles in many Serbian and former Yugoslav films made in last quarter of the 20th century....
– Mile Vuković - Dragan Nikolić – Priest
- Boris Milivojević – Rajko Pevac
- Branislav LečićBranislav LecicBranislav Lečić is a Serbian actor, and politician. He graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts of the University of Belgrade as an actor in 1978...
– Tasić - Mladen Andrejević – Teacher Mićun
- Srđan Timarov – Mikan
- Predrag Vasić – Vane the orphan
- Bojan Žirović – Žoja
- Milica Ostojić – First sister
- Milena DravićMilena DravicMilena Dravić is a Serbian actress.Born in Belgrade, Dravić was involved with the performing arts from the age of four: first with dance and later classical ballet...
– Aunt - Milena Predić – Jelena
- Slobodan NinkovićSlobodan NinkovicSlobodan "Boda" Ninković is a Serbian actor. His credits include roles in the films Ulysses' Gaze, The Crusaders , We Are Not Angels and TV series Bolji život and Otvorena vrata. He was the presenter of Beovizija 2007.-References:...
– Ninko Belotić - Stefan DanailovStefan DanailovStefan Lambov Danailov is a Bulgarian actor and former Minister of Culture of Bulgaria .The first film Danailov has taken part was "The Traces Remain" being a child. At that time he did not want to be an actor. However, later in 1966 he graduated VITIZ...
– Minta Ciganin
Production
Director Srđan Dragojević planned to make a movie based on Kovačević's play for a long time. He already started pre-production in 1998 and then once again in 2001 when he shopped the story around by offering it to the government under prime minister Zoran Đinđić, but due to lack of funds both attempts were ultimately abandoned. Things changed under the next cabinet of Vojislav KoštunicaVojislav Koštunica
Vojislav Koštunica is a Serbian politician, statesman and the president of the Democratic Party of Serbia. He was the last President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, succeeding Slobodan Milošević and serving from 2000 to 2003...
as the movie received funding and went into production.
The movie's production company was an entity called "Sveti Georgije ubiva aždahu" – a one-off company registered and set up for the purposes of this film by the following companies: Zillion Film (production house owned by Lazar Ristovski), Yodi Movie Craftsman (owned by Zoran Cvijanović and Milko Josifov), Delirium Film (owned by Srđan Dragojević), and Maslačak Film (owned by Biljana Prvanović). The co-producers are Oskar Film from Banja Luka
Banja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
and Camera from Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
.
In addition to the governments of Serbia (under prime minister Koštunica and cultural minister Dragan Kojadinović
Dragan Kojadinovic
Dragan Kojadinović was the Serbian Minister of Culture. He graduated from the Department of Yugoslav Literature and Serbian Language at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology. For almost thirty years he has worked as a journalist, and was the first director of the Studio B independent...
) and Republika Srpska
Government of Republika Srpska
The Government of Republika Srpska is the main element of the executive branch of government in Republika Srpska, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Current cabinet:...
that donated the total of €2.25 million, the movie's funding came from Eurimages
Eurimages
Eurimages is the Council of Europe fund for the co-production, distribution, exhibition and digitisation of European cinematographic works. It aims to promote the European film industry by encouraging the production and distribution of films and fostering co-operation between professionals....
fund that contributed €400,000, Serbian Ministry of Culture, and the Executive Council of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.
The movie had 92 shooting days (50 of them night shoots) throughout the summer and fall of 2007 on locations in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, and Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. The shooting began on July 18, 2007 and wrapped on December 5, 2007. For the shooting in Serbia, an entire village was built in early 20th century style in South Banat District
South Banat District
South Banat District is a northeastern district of Serbia with the seat of the district in Pančevo. It borders Romania to the east. The district lies in the region of Banat, in the autonomous province of Vojvodina...
near Deliblatska Peščara
Deliblatska Pešcara
Deliblatska Peščara or Deliblato Sand is a large sand area situated in the Vojvodina province, Serbia. It is located in southern Banat...
with full and detailed interiors done by cinematographer Miljen "Kreka" Kljaković. In Republika Srpska, the shooting took place in Omarska
Omarska
Omarska is a small town near Prijedor in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It includes an old iron mine and ore processing plant...
near Prijedor
Prijedor
Prijedor is a city and municipality in the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is situated in the Bosanska Krajina region....
where the Battle of Cer
Battle of Cer
The Battle of Cer also known as Battle of Jadar was one of the first battles of World War I, it also marked the first Allied victory in the war. The battle was fought between the Austro-Hungarian Army and Serbian forces. The results improved Serbian standing in the Alliance...
was recreated.
Controversy
Originally cast for the role of young war cripple Gavrilo was Sergej TrifunovićSergej Trifunovic
Sergej Trifunović is a popular Bosnian Serb movie actor.-Biography:...
. However, as the film was about to go into production, a row over creative issues erupted between him and Lazar Ristovski, one of the film's producers who also plays the role of Đorđe the gendarme. This resulted in Trifunović effectively being fired from the movie and young Milutin Milošević cast instead for the role of Gavrilo.
Towards the end of shooting, the movie's cinematographer Miljen "Kreka" Kljaković walked off the set over not being paid in full the agreed upon amount in his contract.
Bosnian Muslim human rights groups strongly protested the choice of Omarska
Omarska
Omarska is a small town near Prijedor in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It includes an old iron mine and ore processing plant...
for filming some scenes in the film, as Omarska
Omarska camp
Omarska camp was a concentration camp run by Bosnian Serb forces, in Omarska, a mining town near Prijedor in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina, set up during the Prijedor massacre for Bosniak and Croat men and women. Functioning in the first months of the Bosnian War in 1992, it was one of 677...
was a site of a notorious Serb controlled internment camp for Bosniaks
Bosniaks
The Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia...
, Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
and other non-Serbs.
Reception and reaction
Released in mid March 2009 in Serbia and Republika Srpska (March 11th in Belgrade, March 12th in Banja LukaBanja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
, and March 13th in Niš
Niš
Niš is the largest city of southern Serbia and third-largest city in Serbia . According to the data from 2011, the city of Niš has a population of 177,972 inhabitants, while the city municipality has a population of 257,867. The city covers an area of about 597 km2, including the urban area,...
) to much media coverage, the movie received mostly lukewarm reviews. Many of the reviewers underscored the opinion that the finished product failed to live up to the hype that surrounded it.
The movie also provoked a reaction from political circles in Serbia as the opposition Serbian Progressive Party
Serbian Progressive Party
The Serbian Progressive Party is a right-wing political party in Serbia.-History:The Serbian Progressive Party formed as a group of breakaway MPs in parliament from the Serbian Radical Party led by Tomislav Nikolić over disagreements about the direction of the party. Its founding congress was...
(SNS) complained about the historical liberties taken by the film's creators, namely the depiction of the crippled veterans being recruited for battle - an event of which there's no historical proof.
The general audiences in Serbia still responded in decent numbers. After two weeks of theatrical release, the film sold 67,032 admission tickets in Serbia. Throughout its theatrical run in Serbia, the film was seen by around 150,000 people.
However, recent Western critical reviews have been much more positive. Stephen Farber writing for Reuters, says the film is being touted for an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film. He writes, "As the film morphs into a penetrating anti-war drama, it becomes considerably more potent. Director Srdjan Dragojevic, who made Pretty Village, Pretty Flame
Pretty Village, Pretty Flame
Pretty Village, Pretty Flame is a 1996 Yugoslavian film directed by Srđan Dragojević that gave uniquely bleak yet darkly humorous account of the Bosnian War.It is considered a modern classic of Serbian cinema...
in 1996, demonstrates undeniable talent. The battle scenes capture the chaos and brutality of trench warfare, and the finale builds a mournful power. Cinematography is rich, and the score adds to the movie's impact. Although it's easy to grow impatient during St. George's early scenes, the haunting conclusion stays with you."
TV miniseries
Radio Television of SerbiaRadio Television of Serbia
Radio Television of Serbia or Serbian Broadcasting Corporation is the public broadcaster in Serbia. It broadcasts and produces a variety of news, drama, and sports programming through radio, television and the Internet. RTS is, since July 2001, a member of the European Broadcasting Union. RTS is...
will broadcast a six-part TV miniseries based on the movie after the movie premiere, as part of marking the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
External links
- Official website (with movie trailer)
- Zillion film
- Goran Jevtić uoči premijere filma „Sveti Georgije“ – Čudesna priča o našoj naravi, Blic, March 8, 2009
- Premijere Svetog Georgija u 3 grada, B92, March 10, 2009
- Premijerno "Sveti Georgije ubiva aždahu", MTS Mondo, March 12, 2009